elfing it

Kristine Dang, former executive vice president at online and catalog gift retailer RedEnvelope, has joined Elfster as brand marketing advisor and gift expert. Elfster.com is designed to facilitate gift exchanges, such as Secret Santa swaps.

Dang will be in charge of Elfster's branding efforts and its blog and will advise on marketing strategies, including merchandising, Web 2.0 features and environmentally friendly features. Elfster is based in Oakland, CA.

"We are thrilled to have Kristine Dang join the Elfster team," says CEO Peter Imburg. "Kristine`s knowledge in the Web 2.0 space and her background in branding and merchandising have been invaluable. Because she has worked in a start-up environment, she understands what it takes to make things happen."

"I feel very lucky to be a part of the Elfster`s team," Dang says. "Their passion for the business will drive their ultimate success. It reminds me of the early years at RedEnvelope."

RedEnvelope Inc. is No. 120 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide.

_{http://www.internetretailer.com/dailyNews.asp?id=24691} 

Relevant Excerpt:

This year we were scattered to the winds for Thanksgiving, so we all signed up for Elfster. The internets picked our swappee and we all were able to fill out an on-line wishlist. I got an email from elfster recently that I thought was interesting - they've recently launched green gifting, which sounds like it's right up the Tiny Choices alley:

Can one person's trash be another's treasure? Elfster believes it can!!!

Welcome to to the Elfster.com Public Green Gift Exchange. This initiative is powered by Elfster's members to encourage "Regift, Reuse and Reduce" - Elfster's version of the Three R's and key practices that will help alleviate the potential impact of waste on our environment.

According to Elfster CEO Peter Imburg, "Elfster has been invisibly helping people with reducing holiday excess. Now, we want to take gift giving to a new level with "Green Gifting." Green Gifting refers to public used gift exchanges which encourage people to give digital gifts or give used items they no longer want or need."

http://tinychoices.com/2007/12/03/holiday-gifting/

Green gifting with Elfster
November 30, 2007 — nelle

 Santa’s Little Helper
November 28, 2007 by Shannon Cole

Have you heard of Elfster? I know this crazy fun little service would have helped me tremendously when I worked in the corporate world…After investigating, I think the site could really help anyone! Computer programmer, Peter Imburg, created the site to organize high-tech Secret Santa gift exchanges. Rounded up by a head “elf”, a family or group of co-workers (really, any willing group of elves) can sign onto the site to be entered into a random drawing where they will be assigned partners. Then, all the mischievous elves log on to ask their Secret Santa questions anonymously. Whether naughty or nice, participants can post their wish list or sponsor a charity. There’s even an Elfster BLOG for fun gift ideas… I’m thinking about using the site to set up a Secret Santa gift exchange with my Play Group moms!

And did you know? Elfster is environmentally friendly! Not too psyched about the kitschy sweater sent with love from Grandma? Not to worry! The site recently added the “Public Green Gift Exchange” feature to help alleviate the potential impact of waste on our environment. They encourage “Green Gifting” exchanges encouraging people to give used stuff they no longer want or need.

What a clever way to help the earth while alleviating all the eye rolling associated with conventional Secret Santa gift exchanges. Thanks Elfster!!

http://thecolemine.wordpress.com/2007/11/28/santas-little-helper/ 

Elfster joins Quantcast!

Just in time for the Holidays, Elfster.com has joined the Quantified Publisher program.

You can view their profile here: www.elfster.com

Elfster.com is a free web based tool that makes it easy to arrange Secret Santa gift exchanges.  It is a great way for friends or co-workers to share in the spirit of the holidays. 

You can see from their profile that the people who are using the tool are hooked.  A large share of the visits to the site come from "addicts", meaning people that come to the site every day!  You can also see the very large traffic growth over the last few months.  Congratulations on your success and thanks for Quantifying.

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